*Note: This is a projection tool. Actual 2026 rates will be released by the DoD in Dec 2025. Estimates use national averages weighted by high-cost area zip codes.
Understanding BAH Rates for 2026
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a crucial component of military compensation, designed to offset the cost of off-base housing for service members. As we look toward 2026, many service members are planning their finances around potential increases in these rates.
How BAH is Determined
BAH rates are not determined by a flat percentage increase across the board. Instead, the Department of Defense (DoD) collects rental data for apartments, townhouses, and single-family homes in approximately 300 Military Housing Areas (MHAs) across the United States.
Rank (Pay Grade): Higher ranks generally qualify for larger housing types.
Location: Rates vary significantly between low-cost rural areas and high-cost metropolitan hubs.
Dependency Status: Service members with dependents receive a higher rate to accommodate family housing needs.
Projecting 2026 Increases
While the official 2026 BAH rates will not be published until mid-December 2025, we can estimate rates based on current rental market trends. If rental costs in your specific MHA have risen by 5% over the past year, your BAH is likely to see a similar adjustment. The calculator above allows you to input a "Projected Increase" percentage to simulate different economic scenarios.
Rate Protection
It is important to remember the policy of "Individual Rate Protection." If the BAH rate for your location decreases in 2026, you will generally continue to receive the older, higher rate as long as your status and location remain unchanged. You are protected from rate drops, but you will benefit from rate increases.
Housing Profiles
The DoD uses specific "anchor points" to calculate rates. For example, an E-5 Without Dependents is typically anchored to the cost of a one-bedroom apartment, while an E-5 With Dependents is anchored to a two-bedroom townhouse. As you use the calculator, ensure you select the correct dependency status to see the appropriate housing profile estimation.
function calculateBAH2026() {
// 1. Get Input Values
var payGrade = document.getElementById('payGrade').value;
var zipCode = document.getElementById('zipCode').value.trim();
var depStatus = document.getElementById('depStatus').value;
var increasePercent = parseFloat(document.getElementById('projectedIncrease').value);
if (isNaN(increasePercent)) {
increasePercent = 0;
}
// 2. Define Base National Averages (Approximate 2024/2025 Baseline)
// These serve as the "National Average" anchor before applying Zip Code Multipliers
var baseRates = {
'E1': 1600, 'E2': 1600, 'E3': 1600, 'E4': 1600,
'E5': 1750, 'E6': 2000, 'E7': 2150, 'E8': 2300, 'E9': 2500,
'W1': 1900, 'W2': 2100, 'W3': 2250, 'W4': 2400, 'W5': 2600,
'O1': 1800, 'O1E': 2100, 'O2': 2000, 'O2E': 2250, 'O3': 2350, 'O3E': 2450,
'O4': 2700, 'O5': 3000, 'O6': 3200, 'O7': 3300
};
// 3. Define Zip Code Multipliers (Simulation of MHA Data)
// Real database is too large; this checks common High Cost vs Low Cost areas
var zipMultipliers = {
// High Cost / Major Hubs
'92134': 2.2, // San Diego
'96818': 2.1, // Hawaii (Pearl Harbor)
'20001': 2.3, // DC
'98433': 1.6, // JBLM (Seattle area)
'23511': 1.4, // Norfolk
'92055': 2.1, // Camp Pendleton
// Medium/Low Cost
'76544': 0.9, // Fort Cavazos (Killeen)
'28310': 1.0, // Fort Liberty (Fayetteville)
'31314': 1.1, // Fort Stewart
'79916': 0.95 // Fort Bliss
};
// 4. Determine Location Factor
var locationFactor = 1.0; // Default National Average
var locationName = "National Average";
// Simple logic: If zip is in our small list, use it.
// If not, check first digit for rough regional estimate (very rough heuristic for demo)
if (zipMultipliers.hasOwnProperty(zipCode)) {
locationFactor = zipMultipliers[zipCode];
locationName = "Specific MHA Zone";
} else if (zipCode.length === 5) {
var firstDigit = parseInt(zipCode.charAt(0));
// Rough heuristic: West Coast/East Coast usually higher
if (firstDigit === 9) locationFactor = 1.4; // West
else if (firstDigit === 0 || firstDigit === 1) locationFactor = 1.3; // Northeast
else locationFactor = 1.0; // South/Midwest/National Avg
locationName = "Regional Estimate";
}
// 5. Calculate Base Amount
var rankBase = baseRates[payGrade] || 1600;
// Adjust for Dependents (Approximate 20-25% spread usually)
if (depStatus === 'with') {
rankBase = rankBase * 1.25;
}
// Apply Location Factor
var adjustedRate = rankBase * locationFactor;
// 6. Apply 2026 Projection
var projectionMultiplier = 1 + (increasePercent / 100);
var finalMonthly = adjustedRate * projectionMultiplier;
var finalAnnual = finalMonthly * 12;
// 7. Display Results
document.getElementById('locFactorDisplay').innerText = locationName + " (" + locationFactor.toFixed(2) + "x)";
// Formatting currency
document.getElementById('monthlyResult').innerText = '$' + Math.floor(finalMonthly).toLocaleString();
document.getElementById('annualResult').innerText = '$' + Math.floor(finalAnnual).toLocaleString();
// Show result box
document.getElementById('resultArea').style.display = 'block';
}